Avatar-based transfer protocols, icon generation and doll animation

ABSTRACT

Systems and methods may provide for identifying one or more facial expressions of a subject in a video signal and generating avatar animation data based on the one or more facial expressions. Additionally, the avatar animation data may be incorporated into an audio file associated with the video signal. In one example, the audio file is sent to a remote client device via a messaging application. Systems and methods may also facilitate the generation of avatar icons and doll animations that mimic the actual facial features and/or expressions of specific individuals.

TECHNICAL FIELD

Embodiments generally relate to avatars. More particularly, embodimentsrelate to avatar-based transfer protocols, icon generation and dollanimation.

BACKGROUND

Avatars may be used in virtual worlds such as game environments. Recentdevelopments in avatar technology may package, transfer and processavatar data as video content, which may incur high bandwidth costs.Additionally, solutions may transfer avatar data in a real-timetransport protocol (RTP) channel that relies upon dedicated avatarsupport in the remote peer.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The various advantages of the embodiments will become apparent to oneskilled in the art by reading the following specification and appendedclaims, and by referencing the following drawings, in which:

FIG. 1 is a block diagram of an example of an avatar transfer protocolaccording to an embodiment;

FIG. 2 is a flowchart of an example of a method of managing avatarsaccording to an embodiment;

FIG. 3 is a block diagram of an example of an avatar icon messagingscheme according to an embodiment;

FIG. 4 is a flowchart of an example of a method of conducting avataricon messaging according to an embodiment;

FIG. 5 is a block diagram of an example of an avatar-based dollanimation scheme according to an embodiment;

FIG. 6 is a flowchart of an example of a method of conductingavatar-based doll animations according to an embodiment;

FIGS. 7A and 7B are block diagrams of examples of client devicesaccording to embodiments;

FIG. 8 is a block diagram of an example of a processor according to anembodiment; and

FIG. 9 is a block diagram of an example of a system according to anembodiment.

DESCRIPTION OF EMBODIMENTS

Turning now to FIG. 1, an example of an avatar transfer protocol isshown in which a subject 10 (e.g., individual, person, user, etc.) iscaptured visually and audibly by a camera 22 and a microphone 24,respectively. The illustrated subject 10 exhibits one or more facialexpressions (e.g., mouth shapes, head turns, nods, blinks, frowns,smiles, winks) that are reflected in a video signal 26 and concurrentlyspeaks audible content 30 (e.g., words, phrases, sounds) that isreflected in an audio signal 28. The video signal 26 and the audiosignal 28 may be processed by a messaging system/application 32 that isconfigured to identify one or more facial expressions of the subject 20in the video signal 26 and generate avatar animation data 34 based onthe one or more facial expressions. As will be discussed in greaterdetail, the avatar animation data 34 may facilitate the generation of anavatar that visually and audibly mimics the subject 10 without revealingthe true identity or likeness of the subject 10.

Additionally, the messaging system 32 may encode (e.g., compress) theaudio signal 28 into an audio file 36 and incorporate the avataranimation data 34 into the audio file 36. Of particular note is thatincorporating the illustrated avatar animation data 34 into the audiofile 36 enables the avatar animation data 34 to be transferred across anetwork 38 (e.g., Internet, intranet) without incurring high bandwidthcosts or relying on dedicated avatar support in the remote peer (e.g.,remote client device). The illustrated audio file 36 and avataranimation data 34 are used to render an avatar animation 40 that mimicsthe facial expressions of the subject 20 and the audible content 30spoken by the subject 20, without revealing the true identity orlikeness of the subject 10.

In one example, the avatar animation data 34 includes timestamped facialmotion data. The facial motion data may include various parameters thatrepresent facial features and/or expressions such as, for example, theposition of the subject's eyes, mouth, cheeks, teeth, eyebrows, etc.,head turns, nods, blinks, frowns, smiles, winks, and so forth.Timestamping the facial motion data may facilitate synchronizing theanimated facial expressions with the audible content 30 during renderingof the avatar animation 40. Additionally, the timestamped facial motiondata may be stored to a free data field of the audio file 36. Forexample, a core audio format (CAF) file format might be used to specifythe amount of facial motion data and the facial motion data itself asillustrated in Table I below.

TABLE I Field Value mChunkType [facial_motion_data] mChunkSizeValid_size

In another example, the avatar animation data 34 includes a link (e.g.,Uniform Resource Locator/URL) to facial motion data, wherein the linkmay be stored in a sound metadata field of the audio file 36 (e.g., ifan audio file format such as Internet Low Bitrate Codec/iLBC, AdvanceAudio Coding/AAC, etc., with no free data field is used). Thus, a fileformat as in Table II may be used in such a situation.

TABLE I Field Value SoundMetadata [facial_motion_data_link]

Turning now to FIG. 2, a method 42 of managing avatars is shown. Themethod 42 may be implemented in a client device as a set of logicinstructions and/or firmware stored in a machine- or computer-readablemedium such as random access memory (RAM), read only memory (ROM),programmable ROM (PROM), flash memory, etc., in configurable logic suchas, for example, programmable logic arrays (PLAs), field programmablegate arrays (FPGAs), complex programmable logic devices (CPLDs), infixed-functionality logic hardware using circuit technology such as, forexample, application specific integrated circuit (ASIC), complementarymetal oxide semiconductor (CMOS) or transistor-transistor logic (TTL)technology, or any combination thereof. For example, computer programcode to carry out operations shown in the method 42 may be written inany combination of one or more programming languages, including anobject oriented programming language such as C++ or the like andconventional procedural programming languages, such as the “C”programming language or similar programming languages. Moreover, themethod 42 may be implemented using any of the aforementioned circuittechnologies.

Illustrated processing block 44 provides for identifying one or morefacial expressions of a subject in a video signal at a local clientdevice (e.g., local peer). Avatar animation data may be generated atblock 46 based on the one or more facial expressions, whereinillustrated block 50 incorporates the avatar animation data into anaudio file associated with the video signal. As already discussed,incorporating the avatar animation data into the audio file may includestoring timestamped facial motion data in a free data field of the audiofile, storing a link to timestamped facial motion data in a soundmetadata field of the audio file, and so forth. The facial motion datamay describe facial motion such as mouth action, eye position, eyebrowposition, and so forth, of the subject captured by the video signal.Thus, the facial motion data may describe the degree of eye opening,degree of mouth opening, position of the lip, nose tip, head rotation,etc.

The timestamped facial motion data might include, for example, 16-bitfloating point data for each frame of the video signal. Of particularnote is that a 10-second sound clip with facial motion data (at 25frames per second and a 50% compression rate) may yield an audio filesize of around 20 KB, whereas a conventional 10-second video clip mayresult in a file size of several megabytes. The audio file may be sentto a remote client device (e.g., remote peer) at block 52. In oneexample, the audio file is sent via a messaging application and/orsystem over a network connection.

Illustrated block 54 provides for receiving the audio file at a remoteclient device. The audio file may be used at block 56 to obtain avataranimation data, wherein an avatar animation may be rendered at block 58based on the audio file and the avatar animation data. In one example,obtaining the avatar animation data involves retrieving timestampedfacial motion data from a free data field of the audio file. In anotherexample, obtaining the avatar animation data involves retrievingtimestamped facial motion data from a link stored in a sound metadatafiled of the audio file. Rendering the avatar animation may involvesynchronizing the timestamped facial motion data with the audio file.

Avatar Icon Generation

One type of application that may particularly benefit from thetechniques described herein is avatar icon generation in a messagingenvironment. For example, a common occurrence may be for friends and/oracquaintances to share messages with one another in an online settingsuch as a social network, virtual forum, focus group, and so forth. Theavatar transfer protocol already discussed may be readily applied insuch settings to facilitate the generation and transfer of avatar iconsin conjunction with shared messages.

FIG. 3 shows an example of an avatar icon messaging scheme in which asubject 60 is captured by a camera 22, and a messagingsystem/application 62 identifies one or more facial expressions of thesubject 60 in a video signal 26, as already discussed. The facialexpressions of the subject 60 may also be captured in by the camera 22in still images 27. The illustrated messaging system 62 generates one ormore avatar icons 64 (e.g., periodically, in response to a user request,and so forth) based on the facial expressions, which may be added to anicon list 66.

The icon list 66 may therefore contain a set of avatars having differentfacial features/expressions that reflect the facial features/expressionsmade by the subject during capture of the video signal 26 and/or stillimages 27. In this regard, the messaging system 62 may confirm that theavatar icons 64 are not duplicates before adding them to the icon list66. The icon list 66 may in turn be presented to the subject 60 via auser interface (UI) 68, wherein user selections of an avatar icon 70from the icon list 66 may be sent in conjunction with a message 74(e.g., instant message/IM, posting, short messaging service/SMS, email,and so forth) to a remote client device over a network 38. The selectedavatar icon 70 may also be transferred over the network 38 in an audiofile, as already discussed.

In the illustrated example, the message 74 includes text 72 entered bythe subject 60. The avatar icons 64 may be generated in “offline mode”while the user is entering the text 72 (e.g., periodically) and/or in“online mode” while the user is posing a specific facial expression(e.g., in response to an explicit user request). The subject 60 may alsoselect the base avatar to be used when generating the avatar icons 64.

Turning now to FIG. 4, a method 74 of conducting avatar icon messagingis shown. The method 74 may be implemented in a client device as a setof logic instructions and/or firmware stored in a machine- orcomputer-readable medium such as RAM, ROM, PROM, flash memory, etc., inconfigurable logic such as, for example, PLAs, FPGAs, CPLDs, infixed-functionality logic hardware using circuit technology such as, forexample, ASIC, CMOS or TTL technology, or any combination thereof.Illustrated block 76 provides for identifying a facial expression of asubject in one or more of a video signal and a still image. An avataricon may be generated based on the facial expression at block 78,wherein illustrated block 80 confirms that the avatar icon is not aduplicate with respect to an icon list. If the avatar icon is not aduplicate, the avatar icon may be added to the icon list, wherein adetermination may be made at block 82 as to whether another facialexpression is ready for processing. If so, the avatar icon creationprocess may repeat. Otherwise, block 84 may present the icon list to auser. A user selection from the icon list may be received at block 86,wherein illustrated block 88 sends the user selection of an avatar iconto a remote client device in conjunction with a text message.

Doll Animation

Yet another type of application that may benefit from the techniquesdescribed herein is doll animation. FIG. 5 shows an avatar-based dollanimation scheme in which a subject 90 manipulates a doll such as a handpuppet 92 and speaks audible content 94 (e.g., words, phrases, sounds),in range of a camera 22 and a microphone 24. Accordingly, theillustrated camera 22 generates a video signal 96 that reflects one ormore facial expressions (e.g., mouth shapes, head turns, nods, blinks,frowns, smiles, winks) of the subject 90, as well as the likeness of thehand puppet 92. Similarly, the illustrated microphone 24 generates anaudio signal 98 that reflects the audible content 30.

A doll system/application 100 may identify one or more facialexpressions of the subject 90 in the video signal 96, generate avataranimation data based on the one or more facial expressions, identify adoll face in the video signal 96, and transfer the avatar animation datato the doll face to obtain a doll animation 102, wherein the dollanimation 102 may be used to generate (e.g., encode) a video file 104.In the illustrated example, one or more facial features of the handpuppet 92 have been replaced with facial features and/or expressionsthat mimic the subject 90 during recording of the video. Additionally,the audible content 94 may be incorporated into the doll animation 102so that the hand puppet 94 appears to be speaking the same audiblecontent 94. Moreover, a voice tone setting may be identified (e.g., viauser preference, speech recognition, and so forth), wherein the tone ofthe audible content 94 in the video file 104 is changed to create adifferent intonation and/or audible effect from the originalintonation/audible effect of the subject 90. In one example, pitchshifting is used to change the tone of the audible content 94.

Turning now to FIG. 6, a method 106 of conducting avatar-based dollanimations is shown. The method 106 may be implemented in a clientdevice as a set of logic instructions and/or firmware stored in amachine- or computer-readable medium such as RAM, ROM, PROM, flashmemory, etc., in configurable logic such as, for example, PLAs, FPGAs,CPLDs, in fixed-functionality logic hardware using circuit technologysuch as, for example, ASIC, CMOS or TTL technology, or any combinationthereof. Illustrated block 108 provides for identifying one or morefacial expressions of a subject and a doll in a video signal, whereinavatar animation data may be generated at block 110 based on the facialexpressions. Additionally, a doll face may be identified in the videosignal at block 112. Block 114 may transfer the avatar animation data tothe doll face. In addition, a voice tone setting may be identified atblock 116, wherein illustrated block 118 changes a tone of an audio fileassociated with the video file based on the voice tone setting.

Turning now to FIG. 7A, a computing device 120 (120 a-120 i) to manageavatars is shown. In the illustrated example, a recognition module 120 aidentifies one or more facial expressions of a subject in a videosignal, and an avatar module 120 b generates avatar animation data basedon the one or more facial expressions. Additionally, an audio module 120c may incorporate the avatar animation data into an audio fileassociated with the video signal. The computing device 120 may alsoinclude a communications module 120 d to send the audio file to a remoteclient device via a messaging application. Thus, the illustratedcomputing device 120 may implement an avatar transfer protocol that doesnot incur high bandwidth costs or rely on dedicated avatar support inthe remote peer.

The computing device 120 may also be used to conduct avatar iconmessaging. For example, an icon module 120 e may generate an avatar iconbased on one or more facial expressions in a video signal and/or stillimage of a subject, wherein a list module 120 f may add the avatar iconto an icon list. In one example, the list module 120 f confirms that theavatar icon is not a duplicate before adding the avatar icon to the iconlist. The illustrated computing device 120 also includes a userinterface (UI) that presents the icon list to a user and receives a userselection from the icon list. Thus, the communications module 120 d maysend the user selection to a remote client device in conjunction with atext message.

Additionally, the computing device 120 may be used to conduct avatarbased doll animations. For example, the recognition module 120 a mayalso identify a doll face in a video signal, wherein a transfer module120 h may transfer avatar animation data to the doll face to obtain adoll animation. More particularly, the avatar animation data maycorrespond to one or more facial expressions of a subject in the videosignal so that the doll animation mimics the subject. The illustratedcomputing device 120 also includes a tone module 120 i that identifies avoice tone setting and changes a tone of an audio file associated withthe video signal based on the voice tone setting.

FIG. 7B shows a computing device 122 (122 a-122 c) to animate avatars.In the illustrated example, a communications module 122 a receives anaudio file, wherein an extraction module 122 b uses the audio file toobtain avatar animation data. In one example, the extraction module 122b retrieves timestamped facial motion data from a free data field of theaudio file to obtain the avatar animation data. The extraction module122 b may also retrieve timestamped facial motion data from a linkstored in a sound metadata field of the audio file to obtain the avataranimation data. The illustrated computing device 122 also includes ananimation module 122 c to render an avatar animation based on the audiofile and the avatar animation data. In one example, the animation module122 c synchronizes the timestamped facial motion data with the audiofile to render the avatar animation.

FIG. 8 illustrates a processor core 200 according to one embodiment. Theprocessor core 200 may be the core for any type of processor, such as amicro-processor, an embedded processor, a digital signal processor(DSP), a network processor, or other device to execute code. Althoughonly one processor core 200 is illustrated in FIG. 8, a processingelement may alternatively include more than one of the processor core200 illustrated in FIG. 8. The processor core 200 may be asingle-threaded core or, for at least one embodiment, the processor core200 may be multithreaded in that it may include more than one hardwarethread context (or “logical processor”) per core.

FIG. 8 also illustrates a memory 270 coupled to the processor 200. Thememory 270 may be any of a wide variety of memories (including variouslayers of memory hierarchy) as are known or otherwise available to thoseof skill in the art. The memory 270 may include one or more code 213instruction(s) to be executed by the processor 200 core, wherein thecode 213 may implement the method 42 (FIG. 2), the method 74 (FIG. 4)and/or the method 106 (FIG. 6), already discussed. The processor core200 follows a program sequence of instructions indicated by the code213. Each instruction may enter a front end portion 210 and be processedby one or more decoders 220. The decoder 220 may generate as its outputa micro operation such as a fixed width micro operation in a predefinedformat, or may generate other instructions, microinstructions, orcontrol signals which reflect the original code instruction. Theillustrated front end 210 also includes register renaming logic 225 andscheduling logic 230, which generally allocate resources and queue theoperation corresponding to the convert instruction for execution.

The processor 200 is shown including execution logic 250 having a set ofexecution units 255-1 through 255-N. Some embodiments may include anumber of execution units dedicated to specific functions or sets offunctions. Other embodiments may include only one execution unit or oneexecution unit that can perform a particular function. The illustratedexecution logic 250 performs the operations specified by codeinstructions.

After completion of execution of the operations specified by the codeinstructions, back end logic 260 retires the instructions of the code213. In one embodiment, the processor 200 allows out of order executionbut requires in order retirement of instructions. Retirement logic 265may take a variety of forms as known to those of skill in the art (e.g.,re-order buffers or the like). In this manner, the processor core 200 istransformed during execution of the code 213, at least in terms of theoutput generated by the decoder, the hardware registers and tablesutilized by the register renaming logic 225, and any registers (notshown) modified by the execution logic 250.

Although not illustrated in FIG. 8, a processing element may includeother elements on chip with the processor core 200. For example, aprocessing element may include memory control logic along with theprocessor core 200. The processing element may include I/O control logicand/or may include I/O control logic integrated with memory controllogic. The processing element may also include one or more caches.

Referring now to FIG. 9, shown is a block diagram of a system 1000embodiment in accordance with an embodiment. Shown in FIG. 9 is amultiprocessor system 1000 that includes a first processing element 1070and a second processing element 1080. While two processing elements 1070and 1080 are shown, it is to be understood that an embodiment of thesystem 1000 may also include only one such processing element.

The system 1000 is illustrated as a point-to-point interconnect system,wherein the first processing element 1070 and the second processingelement 1080 are coupled via a point-to-point interconnect 1050. Itshould be understood that any or all of the interconnects illustrated inFIG. 9 may be implemented as a multi-drop bus rather than point-to-pointinterconnect.

As shown in FIG. 9, each of processing elements 1070 and 1080 may bemulticore processors, including first and second processor cores (i.e.,processor cores 1074 a and 1074 b and processor cores 1084 a and 1084b). Such cores 1074, 1074 b, 1084 a, 1084 b may be configured to executeinstruction code in a manner similar to that discussed above inconnection with FIG. 8.

Each processing element 1070, 1080 may include at least one shared cache1896 a, 1896 b. The shared cache 1896 a, 1896 b may store data (e.g.,instructions) that are utilized by one or more components of theprocessor, such as the cores 1074 a, 1074 b and 1084 a, 1084 b,respectively. For example, the shared cache 1896 a, 1896 b may locallycache data stored in a memory 1032, 1034 for faster access by componentsof the processor. In one or more embodiments, the shared cache 1896 a,1896 b may include one or more mid-level caches, such as level 2 (L2),level 3 (L3), level 4 (L4A), or other levels of cache, a last levelcache (LLC), and/or combinations thereof.

While shown with only two processing elements 1070, 1080, it is to beunderstood that the scope of the embodiments are not so limited. Inother embodiments, one or more additional processing elements may bepresent in a given processor. Alternatively, one or more of processingelements 1070, 1080 may be an element other than a processor, such as anaccelerator or a field programmable gate array. For example, additionalprocessing element(s) may include additional processors(s) that are thesame as a first processor 1070, additional processor(s) that areheterogeneous or asymmetric to processor a first processor 1070,accelerators (such as, e.g., graphics accelerators or digital signalprocessing (DSP) units), field programmable gate arrays, or any otherprocessing element. There can be a variety of differences between theprocessing elements 1070, 1080 in terms of a spectrum of metrics ofmerit including architectural, micro architectural, thermal, powerconsumption characteristics, and the like. These differences mayeffectively manifest themselves as asymmetry and heterogeneity amongstthe processing elements 1070, 1080. For at least one embodiment, thevarious processing elements 1070, 1080 may reside in the same diepackage.

The first processing element 1070 may further include memory controllerlogic (MC) 1072 and point-to-point (P-P) interfaces 1076 and 1078.Similarly, the second processing element 1080 may include a MC 1082 andP-P interfaces 1086 and 1088. As shown in FIG. 9, MC's 1072 and 1082couple the processors to respective memories, namely a memory 1032 and amemory 1034, which may be portions of main memory locally attached tothe respective processors. While the MC 1072 and 1082 is illustrated asintegrated into the processing elements 1070, 1080, for alternativeembodiments the MC logic may be discrete logic outside the processingelements 1070, 1080 rather than integrated therein.

The first processing element 1070 and the second processing element 1080may be coupled to an I/O subsystem 1090 via P-P interconnects 1076 1086,respectively. As shown in FIG. 9, the I/O subsystem 1090 includes P-Pinterfaces 1094 and 1098. Furthermore, I/O subsystem 1090 includes aninterface 1092 to couple I/O subsystem 1090 with a high performancegraphics engine 1038. In one embodiment, bus 1049 may be used to couplethe graphics engine 1038 to the I/O subsystem 1090. Alternately, apoint-to-point interconnect may couple these components.

In turn, I/O subsystem 1090 may be coupled to a first bus 1016 via aninterface 1096. In one embodiment, the first bus 1016 may be aPeripheral Component Interconnect (PCI) bus, or a bus such as a PCIExpress bus or another third generation I/O interconnect bus, althoughthe scope of the embodiments are not so limited.

As shown in FIG. 9, various I/O devices 1014 (e.g., cameras) may becoupled to the first bus 1016, along with a bus bridge 1018 which maycouple the first bus 1016 to a second bus 1020. In one embodiment, thesecond bus 1020 may be a low pin count (LPC) bus. Various devices may becoupled to the second bus 1020 including, for example, a keyboard/mouse1012, network controllers/communication device(s) 1026 (which may inturn be in communication with a computer network), and a data storageunit 1019 such as a disk drive or other mass storage device which mayinclude code 1030, in one embodiment. The code 1030 may includeinstructions for performing embodiments of one or more of the methodsdescribed above. Thus, the illustrated code 1030 may implement themethod 42 (FIG. 2), the method 74 (FIG. 4) and/or the method 106 (FIG.6), and may be similar to the code 213 (FIG. 8), already discussed.Further, an audio I/O 1024 may be coupled to second bus 1020, whereinthe audio I/O 1024 may be used to establish a headset connection.

Note that other embodiments are contemplated. For example, instead ofthe point-to-point architecture of FIG. 9, a system may implement amulti-drop bus or another such communication topology. Also, theelements of FIG. 9 may alternatively be partitioned using more or fewerintegrated chips than shown in FIG. 9.

Additional Notes and Examples

Example 1 may include an apparatus to manage avatars, including arecognition module to identify one or more facial expressions of asubject in a video signal. The apparatus may also include an avatarmodule to generate avatar animation data based on the one or more facialexpressions, and an audio module to incorporate the avatar animationdata into an audio file associated with the video signal.

Example 2 may include the apparatus of example 1, further including acommunications module to send the audio file to a remote client devicevia a messaging application.

Example 3 may include the apparatus of example 1, wherein the audiomodule is to store timestamped facial motion data in a free data fieldof the audio file to incorporate the avatar animation data into theaudio file.

Example 4 may include the apparatus of example 1, wherein the audiomodule is to store a link to timestamped facial motion data in a soundmetadata field of the audio file to incorporate the avatar animationdata into the audio file.

Example 5 may include the apparatus of any one of examples 1 to 4,further including an icon module to generate an avatar icon based on theone or more facial expressions, a list module to add the avatar icon toan icon list, a user interface to present the icon list to a user andreceive a user selection from the icon list, and a communications moduleto send the user selection to a remote client device in conjunction witha text message.

Example 6 may include the apparatus of example 5, wherein the listmodule is to confirm that the avatar icon is not a duplicate on the iconlist.

Example 7 may include the apparatus of any one of examples 1 to 4,wherein the recognition module is to identify a doll face in the videosignal, and wherein the apparatus further includes a transfer module totransfer the avatar animation data to the doll face to obtain a dollanimation, and a tone module to identify a voice tone setting and changea tone of the audio file based on the voice tone setting.

Example 8 may include at least one computer readable storage mediumhaving a set of instructions which, if executed by a computing device,cause the computing device to identify one or more facial expressions ofa subject in a video signal. The instructions, if executed, may alsocause a computing device to generate avatar animation data based on theone or more facial expressions, and incorporate the avatar animationdata into an audio file associated with the video signal.

Example 9 may include the at least one computer readable storage mediumof example 8, wherein the instructions, if executed, cause a computingdevice to send the audio file to a remote client device via a messagingapplication.

Example 10 may include the at least one computer readable storage mediumof example 8, wherein the instructions, if executed, cause a computingdevice to store timestamped facial motion data in a free data field ofthe audio file to incorporate the avatar animation data into the audiofile.

Example 11 may include the at least one computer readable storage mediumof example 8, wherein the instructions, if executed, cause a computingdevice to store a link to timestamped facial motion data in a soundmetadata field of the audio file to incorporate the avatar animationdata into the audio file.

Example 12 may include the at least one computer readable storage mediumof any one of examples 8 to 11, wherein the instructions, if executed,cause a computing device to generate an avatar icon based on the one ormore facial expressions add the avatar icon to an icon list, present theicon list to a user, receive a user selection from the icon list, andsend the user selection to a remote client device in conjunction with atext message.

Example 13 may include the at least one computer readable storage mediumof example 12, wherein the instructions, if executed, cause a computingdevice to confirm that the avatar icon is not a duplicate on the iconlist.

Example 14 may include the at least one computer readable storage mediumof any one of examples 8 to 11, wherein the instructions, if executed,cause a computing device to identify a doll face in the video signal,transfer the avatar animation data to the doll face to obtain a dollanimation, identify a voice tone setting, and change a tone of the audiofile based on the voice tone setting.

Example 15 may include a method of managing avatars, includingidentifying one or more facial expressions of a subject in a videosignal, and generating avatar animation data based on the one or morefacial expressions. The method may also provide for incorporating theavatar animation data into an audio file associated with the videosignal.

Example 16 may include the method of example 15, further includingsending the audio file to a remote client device via a messagingapplication.

Example 17 may include the method of example 15, wherein incorporatingthe avatar animation data into the audio file includes storingtimestamped facial motion data in a free data field of the audio file.

Example 18 may include the method of example 15, wherein incorporatingthe avatar animation data into the audio file includes storing a link totimestamped facial motion data in a sound metadata field of the audiofile.

Example 19 may include the method of any one of examples 15 to 18,further including generating an avatar icon based on the one or morefacial expressions, adding the avatar icon to an icon list, presentingthe icon list to a user, receiving a user selection from the icon list,and sending the user selection to a remote client device in conjunctionwith a text message.

Example 20 may include the method of example 19, further includingconfirming that the avatar icon is not a duplicate on the icon list.

Example 21 may include the method of any one of examples 15 to 18,further including identifying a doll face in the video signal,transferring the avatar animation data to the doll face to obtain a dollanimation, identifying a voice tone setting, and changing a tone of theaudio file based on the voice tone setting.

Example 22 may include at least one computer readable storage mediumhaving a set of instructions which, if executed by a computing device,cause the computing device to receive an audio file and use the audiofile to obtain avatar animation data. The instructions, if executed, mayalso cause a computing device to render an avatar animation based on theaudio file and the avatar animation data.

Example 23 may include the at least one computer readable storage mediumof example 22, wherein the audio signal is to be received from amessaging application of a remote client device.

Example 24 may include the at least one computer readable storage mediumof example 22, wherein the instructions, if executed, cause a computingdevice to retrieve timestamped facial motion data from a free data fieldof the audio file to obtain the avatar animation data, and synchronizethe timestamped facial motion data with the audio file to render theavatar animation.

Example 25 may include the at least one computer readable storage mediumof example 22, wherein the instructions, if executed, cause a computingdevice to retrieve timestamped facial motion data from a link stored ina sound metadata field of the audio file to obtain the avatar animationdata, and synchronize the timestamped facial motion data with the audiofile to render the avatar animation.

Example 26 may include a method of animating avatars, includingreceiving an audio file, using the audio file to obtain avatar animationdata and rendering an avatar animation based on the audio file and theavatar animation data.

Example 27 may include an apparatus to animate avatars, including acommunications module to receive an audio file, an extraction module touse the audio file to obtain avatar animation data, and an animationmodule to render an avatar animation based on the audio file and theavatar animation data.

Example 28 may include an apparatus to manage avatars, including meansfor performing any one of examples 15 to 21.

Example 29 may include an apparatus to animate avatars, including meansfor performing the method of example 26.

Techniques described herein may therefore enable the sharing of avataranimations without incurring high bandwidth costs or relying ondedicated avatar support in the remote peer. Moreover, avatar icons maybe generated and incorporated into messaging solutions, wherein theavatar icons may be mimic actual facial features and/or expressions ofthe sender of the message. Additionally, doll animations may begenerated, wherein the doll animations also mimic actual facial featuresand/or expressions of specific individuals.

Various embodiments may be implemented using hardware elements, softwareelements, or a combination of both. Examples of hardware elements mayinclude processors, microprocessors, circuits, circuit elements (e.g.,transistors, resistors, capacitors, inductors, and so forth), integratedcircuits, application specific integrated circuits (ASIC), programmablelogic devices (PLD), digital signal processors (DSP), field programmablegate array (FPGA), logic gates, registers, semiconductor device, chips,microchips, chip sets, and so forth. Examples of software may includesoftware components, programs, applications, computer programs,application programs, system programs, machine programs, operatingsystem software, middleware, firmware, software modules, routines,subroutines, functions, methods, procedures, software interfaces,application program interfaces (API), instruction sets, computing code,computer code, code segments, computer code segments, words, values,symbols, or any combination thereof. Determining whether an embodimentis implemented using hardware elements and/or software elements may varyin accordance with any number of factors, such as desired computationalrate, power levels, heat tolerances, processing cycle budget, input datarates, output data rates, memory resources, data bus speeds and otherdesign or performance constraints.

One or more aspects of at least one embodiment may be implemented byrepresentative instructions stored on a machine-readable medium whichrepresents various logic within the processor, which when read by amachine causes the machine to fabricate logic to perform the techniquesdescribed herein. Such representations, known as “IP cores” may bestored on a tangible, machine readable medium and supplied to variouscustomers or manufacturing facilities to load into the fabricationmachines that actually make the logic or processor.

Embodiments are applicable for use with all types of semiconductorintegrated circuit (“IC”) chips. Examples of these IC chips include butare not limited to processors, controllers, chipset components,programmable logic arrays (PLAs), memory chips, network chips, and thelike. In addition, in some of the drawings, signal conductor lines arerepresented with lines. Some may be different, to indicate moreconstituent signal paths, have a number label, to indicate a number ofconstituent signal paths, and/or have arrows at one or more ends, toindicate primary information flow direction. This, however, should notbe construed in a limiting manner. Rather, such added detail may be usedin connection with one or more exemplary embodiments to facilitateeasier understanding of a circuit. Any represented signal lines, whetheror not having additional information, may actually comprise one or moresignals that may travel in multiple directions and may be implementedwith any suitable type of signal scheme, e.g., digital or analog linesimplemented with differential pairs, optical fiber lines, and/orsingle-ended lines.

Example sizes/models/values/ranges may have been given, althoughembodiments are not limited to the same. As manufacturing techniques(e.g., photolithography) mature over time, it is expected that devicesof smaller size may be manufactured. In addition, well knownpower/ground connections to IC chips and other components may or may notbe shown within the figures, for simplicity of illustration anddiscussion, and so as not to obscure certain aspects of the embodiments.Further, arrangements may be shown in block diagram form in order toavoid obscuring embodiments, and also in view of the fact that specificswith respect to implementation of such block diagram arrangements arehighly dependent upon the platform within which the embodiment is to beimplemented, i.e., such specifics should be well within purview of oneskilled in the art. Where specific details (e.g., circuits) are setforth in order to describe example embodiments, it should be apparent toone skilled in the art that embodiments can be practiced without, orwith variation of, these specific details. The description is thus to beregarded as illustrative instead of limiting.

Some embodiments may be implemented, for example, using a machine ortangible computer-readable medium or article which may store aninstruction or a set of instructions that, if executed by a machine, maycause the machine to perform a method and/or operations in accordancewith the embodiments. Such a machine may include, for example, anysuitable processing platform, computing platform, computing device,processing device, computing system, processing system, computer,processor, or the like, and may be implemented using any suitablecombination of hardware and/or software. The machine-readable medium orarticle may include, for example, any suitable type of memory unit,memory device, memory article, memory medium, storage device, storagearticle, storage medium and/or storage unit, for example, memory,removable or non-removable media, erasable or non-crasable media,writeable or re-writeable media, digital or analog media, hard disk,floppy disk, Compact Disk Read Only Memory (CD-ROM), Compact DiskRecordable (CD-R), Compact Disk Rewriteable (CD-RW), optical disk,magnetic media, magneto-optical media, removable memory cards or disks,various types of Digital Versatile Disk (DVD), a tape, a cassette, orthe like. The instructions may include any suitable type of code, suchas source code, compiled code, interpreted code, executable code, staticcode, dynamic code, encrypted code, and the like, implemented using anysuitable high-level, low-level, object-oriented, visual, compiled and/orinterpreted programming language.

Unless specifically stated otherwise, it may be appreciated that termssuch as “processing,” “computing,” “calculating,” “determining,” or thelike, refer to the action and/or processes of a computer or computingsystem, or similar electronic computing device, that manipulates and/ortransforms data represented as physical quantities (e.g., electronic)within the computing system's registers and/or memories into other datasimilarly represented as physical quantities within the computingsystem's memories, registers or other such information storage,transmission or display devices. The embodiments are not limited in thiscontext.

The term “coupled” may be used herein to refer to any type ofrelationship, direct or indirect, between the components in question,and may apply to electrical, mechanical, fluid, optical,electromagnetic, electromechanical or other connections. In addition,the terms “first”, “second”, etc. may be used herein only to facilitatediscussion, and carry no particular temporal or chronologicalsignificance unless otherwise indicated.

Those skilled in the art will appreciate from the foregoing descriptionthat the broad techniques of the embodiments can be implemented in avariety of forms. Therefore, while the embodiments have been describedin connection with particular examples thereof, the true scope of theembodiments should not be so limited since other modifications willbecome apparent to the skilled practitioner upon a study of thedrawings, specification, and following claims.

1-25. (canceled)
 26. An apparatus to manage avatars, comprising: arecognition module to identify one or more facial expressions of asubject in a video signal; an avatar module to generate avatar animationdata based on the one or more facial expressions; and an audio module toincorporate the avatar animation data into an audio file associated withthe video signal.
 27. The apparatus of claim 26, further including acommunications module to send the audio file to a remote client devicevia a messaging application.
 28. The apparatus of claim 26, wherein theaudio module is to store timestamped facial motion data in a free datafield of the audio file to incorporate the avatar animation data intothe audio file.
 29. The apparatus of claim 26, wherein the audio moduleis to store a link to timestamped facial motion data in a sound metadatafield of the audio file to incorporate the avatar animation data intothe audio file.
 30. The apparatus of claim 26, further including: anicon module to generate an avatar icon based on the one or more facialexpressions; a list module to add the avatar icon to an icon list; auser interface to present the icon list to a user and receive a userselection from the icon list; and a communications module to send theuser selection to a remote client device in conjunction with a textmessage.
 31. The apparatus of claim 30, wherein the list module is toconfirm that the avatar icon is not a duplicate on the icon list. 32.The apparatus of claim 26, wherein the recognition module is to identifya doll face in the video signal, and wherein the apparatus furtherincludes: a transfer module to transfer the avatar animation data to thedoll face to obtain a doll animation; and a tone module to identify avoice tone setting and change a tone of the audio file based on thevoice tone setting.
 33. At least one computer readable storage mediumcomprising a set of instructions which, if executed by a computingdevice, cause the computing device to: identify one or more facialexpressions of a subject in a video signal; generate avatar animationdata based on the one or more facial expressions; and incorporate theavatar animation data into an audio file associated with the videosignal.
 34. The at least one computer readable storage medium of claim33, wherein the instructions, if executed, cause a computing device tosend the audio file to a remote client device via a messagingapplication.
 35. The at least one computer readable storage medium ofclaim 33, wherein the instructions, if executed, cause a computingdevice to store timestamped facial motion data in a free data field ofthe audio file to incorporate the avatar animation data into the audiofile.
 36. The at least one computer readable storage medium of claim 33,wherein the instructions, if executed, cause a computing device to storea link to timestamped facial motion data in a sound metadata field ofthe audio file to incorporate the avatar animation data into the audiofile.
 37. The at least one computer readable storage medium of claim 33,wherein the instructions, if executed, cause a computing device to:generate an avatar icon based on the one or more facial expressions; addthe avatar icon to an icon list; present the icon list to a user;receive a user selection from the icon list; and send the user selectionto a remote client device in conjunction with a text message.
 38. The atleast one computer readable storage medium of claim 37, wherein theinstructions, if executed, cause a computing device to confirm that theavatar icon is not a duplicate on the icon list.
 39. The at least onecomputer readable storage medium of claim 33, wherein the instructions,if executed, cause a computing device to: identify a doll face in thevideo signal; transfer the avatar animation data to the doll face toobtain a doll animation; identify a voice tone setting; and change atone of the audio file based on the voice tone setting.
 40. A method ofmanaging avatars, comprising: identifying one or more facial expressionsof a subject in a video signal; generating avatar animation data basedon the one or more facial expressions; and incorporating the avataranimation data into an audio file associated with the video signal. 41.The method of claim 40, further including sending the audio file to aremote client device via a messaging application.
 42. The method ofclaim 40, wherein incorporating the avatar animation data into the audiofile includes storing timestamped facial motion data in a free datafield of the audio file.
 43. The method of claim 40, whereinincorporating the avatar animation data into the audio file includesstoring a link to timestamped facial motion data in a sound metadatafield of the audio file.
 44. The method of claim 40, further including:generating an avatar icon based on the one or more facial expressions;adding the avatar icon to an icon list; presenting the icon list to auser; receiving a user selection from the icon list; and sending theuser selection to a remote client device in conjunction with a textmessage.
 45. The method of claim 44, further including confirming thatthe avatar icon is not a duplicate on the icon list.
 46. The method ofclaim 40, further including: identifying a doll face in the videosignal; transferring the avatar animation data to the doll face toobtain a doll animation; identifying a voice tone setting; and changinga tone of the audio file based on the voice tone setting.
 47. At leastone computer readable storage medium comprising a set of instructionswhich, if executed by a computing device, cause the computing device to:receive an audio file; use the audio file to obtain avatar animationdata; and render an avatar animation based on the audio file and theavatar animation data.
 48. The at least one computer readable storagemedium of claim 47, wherein the audio signal is to be received from amessaging application of a remote client device.
 49. The at least onecomputer readable storage medium of claim 47, wherein the instructions,if executed, cause a computing device to: retrieve timestamped facialmotion data from a free data field of the audio file to obtain theavatar animation data; and synchronize the timestamped facial motiondata with the audio file to render the avatar animation.
 50. The atleast one computer readable storage medium of claim 47, wherein theinstructions, if executed, cause a computing device to: retrievetimestamped facial motion data from a link stored in a sound metadatafield of the audio file to obtain the avatar animation data; andsynchronize the timestamped facial motion data with the audio file torender the avatar animation.